Depression and Anxiety

Depression is different from general sadness. These are some of the ways I have heard depression described:

"It's like having this little voice inside your head, and every time you try to do something it tells you not to go, that you don't really want to, you don't have the energy or feel like being social."

"It feels like you are walking around in a fog or with a dark cloud over your head."

"Depression is having no motivation to do anything and beating yourself up about your lack of motivation."

"You desperately want to feel happy, and even when things are going well and you are grateful for the things you have, you feel like you are dead inside."

It's normal to feel sad when things happen in life that we might not wish for or are out of our control such as the death of a loved one, the loss of a job, or a breakup. That is not the same as depression.

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Depression Counselling in Ontario

What is depression?

Depression is defined as a period of two weeks or more during which the following symptoms are present most of the time:

Intense feelings of helplessness, hopelessness and worthlessness
The inability to perform functions of daily living such as personal hygiene, attending work or school
Difficulty concentrating on tasks that were previously easy
Change in sleep (trouble sleeping or sleeping too much)
Changes in eating patterns (loss of appetite or eating much more than usual)
Low energy
Physical aches and pains
Loss of interest in activities you used to enjoy
Agitation or irritability
Dark or suicidal thoughts **Seek help if you are experiencing suicidal thoughts

Help for Anxiety

Everyone will experience anxiety differently but these are some of the ways people have described it:

Having anxiety is like being trapped in quicksand. You know you need to get out but the more you struggle and fight the deeper you sink.
It's like a never-ending tape of worries and what-ifs that plays in my head
I feel paralyzed, any time someone questions a decision I made or something I have done. I feel like something terrible will happen.

Everyone experiences stress in life and so it is important to feel like we have the necessary skills to manage the stress we face.

Depending on the coping skills you have and the amount or type of stress you are faced with, you may begin to feel overwhelmed. This may show up in psychological or physical symptoms. If you are worrying constantly, having trouble concentrating, using alcohol more, are more irritable, feel overwhelmed, are having trouble sleeping or difficulty relaxing, psychotherapy may be beneficial. The role of a therapist is not to "fix" you. Therapy is a process and it will require a commitment for any real change to occur.

What To Expect From Therapy

Your first session will involve an initial assessment of your overall well-being as well as an intake of your personal history. This information assists to inform treatment planning. We will talk about any goals or expectations that you have and you will also have the chance to ask questions. Subsequent therapy sessions are 45 minutes in length and are unique to each individual's treatment plan.

Please note: We do not offer crisis intervention. If you are in crisis, please contact your family doctor, go to your nearest hospital, call the Ontario Mental Health Helpline at 1-866-531-2600 or call 911.

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